I don't believe in a God who plays hide & seek and gets peeved at those who fail to find him. Especially one that would inspire doctrines written by men knowing full well that this would only cause conflict among men. After all, if you worship a religion that's precisely what you are doing. You wouldn't be worshiping God. It's not possible to worship a God who plays hide & seek games.

Other religions that are more spiritual in their nature and don't portray God as being an egotistical judgmental game-player with an agenda are certainly more attractive. I think there is something to be gained from the practice of meditation to calm the mind, and from an adherence to a well-thought-out set of moral values. Of course, these things can be done without religion, but some people prefer to have a religion as a guide. So it can be helpful for those people.

As for myself, I believe that our true nature is spiritual. I personally believe that we were spirit before we were born into the human form, and we'll continue to be spirit after we leave the human form. I believe it is open-ended at both ends of life, not just at one end.

I have my own reasons for believing this, and I confess that many of them are intuitive meaning that it just feels right to me. I'm well aware that just because something feels right doesn't make it true, so I'm ultimately agnostic (as I believe everyone must be whether they admit this to themselves or not) .

One thing to realize is that atheism is true, it's no big deal. Once you die you're not going to be around to worry about it or have an regrets that you didn't continue to live.

So a life that terminates is nothing to worry about. It just seems like a big waste to me. But if that's the way things are then so be it.

As a physical being who is tired, and having physical problems the idea of pure death is actually an inviting idea to me right now. I think I'd almost be disappointed to wake up from this life and discover than I can never die. But then again, if I'm automatically rejuvenated into a pure spiritual form with not more tiredness and physical ailments then maybe it won't seem to bad.

In truth I often dream about going back and reliving this life again. Not the same way precisely. In fact, I would do at least a billion things differently. But then again, there would still be wars going on an all that crap. I'm not sure if I'd seriously want to bother re-living this life if the rest of the world was going to be the same old crap.

There, that wasn't concise or to the point.

Just goes to show that I'm a rebel in spirit I guess.

Just like someone said in my UNreligion religious thread, man will take whatever doctrines created for peace and furtherment of humanity and make it into his own way to persecute those different or unknown.

Just like the organized modern religions of today do. Instead of love and understanding, tolerance and nonjudgement, the religions are discriminatory, prejudice, condescending and dangerous in the wrong mind or maybe the right mind, however you want to see it.

The religious right is named correctly, they believe they know who is right and who is wrong, they believe they have the right to punish those unlike themselves for not being like them or trying to be like them. The religious right through all of their "well meaning" actions have held this country back into the racist, prejudice, discriminatory mindset of old, instead of letting it grow and become better than it was. You hear them say it, "if only the world were like back in this day", which were the days of accepted racism, accepted prejudice, etc....

Religion needs to stay at home. People have the right to believe what they want in their homes, practice what they want in their homes, etc... it is when they are allowed to "extend" this "religious right" way of thinking to the masses of this country that we end up with problems in our government.

My personal opinion of course.

You have made some very valid points but, I am going to disagree ever so slightly about religion needs to stay at home.

I think to seperate oneself from spiritual and/or religious beliefs is unrealistic of people especially since people tend to use their spirituality and/or religion as a moral compass.

Instead, I suggest tolorence and understanding and acceptance of not only physical or ethnical or age differences but, of religion and spiritual beliefs.

As human beings, we must not fear the hot topic of religion and politics but, learn to discuss and debate. This in turn often leads to a better understanding of others and ourselves.

Quite honestly, there is no reason why a catholic, a muslim, a buddist, a wicca, an atheist, and/or any other person of faith cannot find common moral ground. Most people value kindness, consideration, and compassion, we simply need to remind ourselves and others of this.

----And yes, it is true, that some will misuse and abuse religion but, if there is any hope for humanity, we must continue try to find that common ground and practice patience even when we are faced with ignorance.

Alexia said


In the kindest way possible let me tell you that your words are overshadowed with naivety. You seem to expect "logic" to rue the day, but it will not happen.

Religion can ONLY be a personal thing. By mass producing it with dogmas and magical, mystical occurances, by spirts and demons it becomes a fear, a need, dependence. Once that addiction takes hold one will go to many lengths to force thier rules on others.

That's the reason why it was suggested that religion remain a private issue. If one wants to socialize with other like minded poeple, fine, but their area of socialization can not be extended beyond the boundaries of their group, or the natural tendency is to HOOK others into the addictions and condemn those who don't follow.

Thus, I know through personal experience that it can be done. It is truly a matter of how willing are you as an individual to pratice tolerance as we all hope for.

I yam what I yam....it's enough for me.

The rest is so much justifying...

PROVE IT[/b}

Idealism tempered with realizm is not a bad thing. I would so like to agree with you but for a few nagging truths.

Tolerance is ignoring a child who is not getting their way. Acceptence is picking up the crying child and walking with it until the crisis is past.

There are those who are most happy to allow you your beliefs as long as the law allows them to to remain bigoted and righteous.

Then there are those who want only to override your beliefs becasue your's are not correct and may subvert their children.

And there are those who fear OTHER religions to point a being justified in committing acts of atrocity.

We quickly digress from tolerance to violence but nowhere is there "acceptance", nor can there be as long as religions teach, that their way is the only way.

Why do you believe or why do you not believe in religion ?. Please be precise and to the point .

I will agree with you on this part 100% but, from my own limited understanding of various religions, I suspect that when such a situation does arise that it is the result of when a person/group is abusing the power of religion to suit his/her/their own beliefs and/or needs.

As I have said before, I have been fortunate. I realize that many that have turned away from religion have done so from a bad experience and/or experience. This may not be true for everyone but, for some at the very least.

My mother, when she was pregnant with me, was treated very poorly by her church because she was unwed. This turned my mother off of organized religion but, thankfully she did not become bitter by her experience. She was an exceptional woman. She realized that her experience was not a true representation of her God but, of people abusing their power. She stopped going to church but, gave my brother and I the opportunity to experience different religions and to make up our own mind.

Later on in life, I attended a catholic college in which it was required to take theology. Thankfully, my professor, a devoted catholic, was also very open-minded. It was his class that solidified my decision that I would be an atheist. It was his class that allowed me to answer the questions that I sought within myself to make my decision.

Although, I have become an atheist, I can honestly say that all my direct experiences with any organized religion have been good.

Maybe because of this, I still find religion interesting. When I do discuss religion with my friends of various faiths. I do not expect them to "convert" and they do not expect me to "convert" so the atmosphere is usually relax. Sometimes, we do become a little passionate but, with smiles and hugs for each other at the end. (no hard feelings). Through these discussion, I can honestly say that I have learned so much more about my friends but, also about my own beliefs that do not center around any God.

Thank you. I have truly enjoyed your feedback.
Take Care,
Alexia

I've been VERY estranged from organized religion here in the "Bible Belt".... I've seen too many arrogant, self-righteous "Hypo-Christians" (clergy included),only following God's word in church, then disregarding it elsewhere, claiming to be "only human"....

I'll continue to be very spiritual and try to be good to others and this earth...

Did you notice how some preachers fool people and gather tons of monies ?.

Did you notice how some preachers fool people and gather tons of monies ?.

It is not funny to watch others take advantage of those that are trusting and/or desperate.